George Lambert 'The squatter's daughter' 1923-24, oil on canvas, 61.4 x 90.2, Collection of the National Gallery of Australia

Paintings by George Lambert (1873-1930), one of Australia's most remarkable artists from the Edwardian era will be showcased in a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia from 13 July - 1 October 2007. The Gallery is currently seeking oil paintings from private collections and would very much appreciate it if any collectors of Lambert’s paintings would contact Dr Anna Gray, Assistant Director, Australian Art.

“The exhibition will contain a range of Lambert’s finest works including one of his most daring and outrageous paintings of a half-naked man in a Doctor’s surgery, ‘Chesham Street’.” Dr Gray said.

The flamboyant artist made his mark as a painter of portraits, landscapes and still life, as a draughtsman and as a sculptor. Lambert's paintings of rural life and labour executed in the 1890s were much appreciated at the time for their expression of nationalist sentiments, with his 1899 painting Across the black soil plains establishing his reputation.

Following his exposure to art in Europe, many of Lambert's paintings reflect his concern with the issues of the day, from the 'new woman' to socialism. During the First World War he served in Palestine and Gallipoli as an official war artist, where he painted sensuous landscapes of these areas and subsequently created some of Australia's greatest images of war, such as Anzac, the landing. In 1921 he returned to Australia where he held a central position in Australian art.